We feel like we’ve been very divorced from the Devils lately, what with missing the Islanders game on MLK Day, then being out late this Friday and Saturday for the Montreal and Islanders (redux) games. Maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder, though? Probably not. Anyway, here’s our take on the state of the Devils, as seen from far, far away.
1. EJGRgunner made the great point after last night’s game that Zach has apparently taken the Fuck This Shit torch from Langer. And Langer has given it up without a fight. The “C” might still be on Langer’s sweater, but the true Captain Fuck This Shit of the Devils is now Zach. This doesn’t really come as a surprise, considering that Zach is ten times the player Langer is, but still. It merits mention that, from a million miles away where we’re standing, it seems to have happened this week.
2. We may or may not have mentioned in this space that we are participating in a group project on Flickr called sixty-four colors, where the assignment is to take pictures of a specific color every week, as chosen by random draw from a box of 64 Crayola crayons. This week (our first in the project), the color was sea green. Now, we assumed we’d fail, because who the hell ever sees anything that’s sea green? As it turns out, though, as soon as you start looking, there’s sea green everywhere. Likewise, ever since Zubrus got hurt we’ve moved Mike Mottau to the top of our list of guys we are most likely to forget are Devils. We never, ever, ever noticed him. Then, a couple weeks ago, Pam mentioned in the comments here that he was the player she was most eagerly anticipating getting to the end of his contract. Since then, the only thing we can ever see about the Devils is how much he sucks. Mike Mottau being a terrible hockey player is like the sea green of the NHL.
3. As has been well-documented here, we’re pretty down on the whole NHL-involvment-in-the-Olympics thing. One of the reasons why is we’re always very sure a key Devil is going to get hurt playing in what is essentially an all-star exhibition tournament.* This year we were getting big time vibes that Elias was going to be the one to pull a groin or get a high ankle sprain or break a forearm (which in our experience is the most horrible, unhealable hockey injury ever). So what do the hockey gods do? They go and give Patty a concussion well before the all-star exhibition tournament even starts so we can’t even blame it on the stupid old Olympics. (*We’re all about all-star exhibition tournaments, just not when they interrupt the regular NHL season; if the NHL brought back the World Cup we’d be first in line to buy tickets. OK, maybe not buy tickets, but we’d be all over watching it. Think about it, NHL. You know you want us being all over watching hockey in the summertime.)
4. Speaking of the most horrible, unhealable hockey injuries ever, we miss Paulie Martin. The Devils are pretty good at initially recovering from going down a key player, but it’s like everyone’s decided Paulie is never, ever walking through that door ever again, so it’s not worth trying to play well until he comes back.
5. Is anyone even sure Yann Danis is still alive? Because it seems to us like maybe he died by accident a month or so ago, and the Devils just don’t want anyone to know. They’re being all like, “Oh, he’s still with the team. He’s still an important part of the team! He’s totally alive and a key player on our roster. He’s gonna play tonight, in fact. That’s how alive and part of this team he is. Playing tonight. For reals. Totally.” Then, an hour later, they’re like, “Uh, he, uh… got stuck in traffic. He’s not gonna be able to play tonight. Um… *shifty eyes*… he’ll be back tomorrow. Or the day after. Something like that.”
One of the Lowell kids is inevitably going to bump into “Danis” in the locker room and discover he’s just a strawman in pads.
I have a theory that the real Danis got drunk one night and told Marty that he actually quite likes the trapezoid, and was never seen again…
Tim, :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: You are so right! The strawman thing is Lou’s way of getting around the salary cap. At the end of the season he’s going to be like, “And now we get ‘Danis’s’ salary back because everyone knows strawmen don’t earn money!”
I have a theory that the real Danis got drunk one night and told Marty that he actually quite likes the trapezoid, and was never seen again…
Oooh, you are SO right. That’s a guaranteed way to get yourself in some serious trouble with Marty. Heh.
Poor Danis. I think someone should ask the devils for a picture of him holding a newspaper or something. Just to be sure.
So Yann is like the real life version of the movie Weekend at Bernie’s?
I fear the same fate has hit Raycroft. Luongo has played every game including 4 back to backs since the first week of December.
alix, that is EXACTLY what the Danis situation is!
As soon as somebody says the hero isn’t walking through that door, he usually does. At least in the movies. So I’d keep watching that door!
Zach is a terrific player and heaven knows where the Devils would be without him, Pookie. But Langer’s having a very good year, too. Jamie is the second leading scorer on the Devils this season and his ratio of points to games played this year (90 percent) compares favorably to his career ratio of 63 percent. Langer, as well as Zach, plays with a lot of heart. Jamie’s a great spokesperson for the team, too; he is almost a vice president of public relations for the team. A good team needs more than one key player. The Devils are lucky to have Langer, as well as Zach and Elias and Brodeur.
If we’d thought a little more, we might have said that we think that Jamie brings a combination of character, experience, skill, maturity and articulateness that make him a highly qualified and effective captain of the Devils. Someday, Zach may succeed Langer as captain. If so, Zach will have the benefit of observing Jamie in that role.
Good morning to All of you!
Re: #’s 1 – 5, I’m totally with you on all of them, including your take on the olympics!
Also, I’m sorry that I made you “appreciate” how much Mottau sucks.
Jamie brings a combination of character, experience, skill, maturity and articulateness that make him a highly qualified and effective captain of the Devils.
I agree that Langer’s having a good season, but Captain Fuck This Shit has less to do with the actual captaincy and more to do with being the player who’s going to go out there on the ice and say, “Fuck this shit, we’re not losing.” That’s not Langer’s thing anymore.
As for the captaincy, as you know here at IPB we look beyond the stats and focus more on the Tra-la-la-feelings (as Katebits so aptly put it). From a tra-la-la-feelings perspective, I think Langer takes waaaaay too many stupid penalties. I expect a captain to be above that. I haven’t been terrifically impressed with how he’s carried himself with the media. And I don’t see him setting the tone for the team on the ice. But I’m not asking for Zach to be captain now. I’m asking, “How is it Langer still has Patty’s C?!” I though that was a shitty move by Sutter, and I think it’s a shitty move by Jacques not to correct it.
Pam, I’m glad you agree. And yeah, Mottau’s all your fault!
Good morning, everyone! It’s a really nice, gray rainy day here. The kind of nice, gray rainy day that should entail sitting at home all day instead of going to work.
It is kind of a weird day. I was cold when I got up this morning, and then I go outside with my sweatshirt and coat and it was all warm and moist out there! Ugh.
I think you guys said it best on this blog a while ago: there are a lot of guys worthy of A’s on this team, but there isn’t really a true captain. Zach will be, but he’s too young. I don’t believe in making kids captains. I can’t see how older veterans would appreciate that. I think Jamie’s doing okay. Sometimes he acts all captain-like, and scores a big goal, and other times he acts all colin-white-like and takes a horrific late penatly that gives the other team a 6 on 4 with the goalie pulled.
other times he acts all colin-white-like
:^:::::::::::::: Exactly!
It’s warm and rainy here, too. But by tomorrow, we’re supposed to have 2 inches of snow. So maybe Doc will have to bring his yippy dog sled time with him on Wednesday.
I think Langer takes waaaaay too many stupid penalties. I expect a captain to be above that.
Can I co-sign on that? Only instead of Langer, sub in “Craig Rivet.”
Whoa! Monday morning is SO not the time for me to be able to get into serious conversations about Jamie Langenbrunner’s qualifications for captain! Heh. I’m like, “That’s some deep shit they’re talking about there.” Also, I want Pando to have the C. :D
Good morning, everyone! I got to walk all over tarnation this morning, so I’m disinclined to think there’s ANYTHING nice about this rain, except, I suppose, appreciation that at least it’s not 33 degrees out to go with it. I’m drenched. And doubt I’ll stop being drenched until I get home after work and change into my pajamas.
I got to walk all over tarnation this morning, so I’m disinclined to think there’s ANYTHING nice about this rain, except, I suppose, appreciation that at least it’s not 33 degrees out to go with it.
I’m with you. Mu umbrella broke on the way to work this morning and I am peeved (that thing was expensive). I can’t remember if it had a warranty and I have a sinking feeling that means it didn’t.
Whoa — a warranty on an umbrella? I have clearly never purchased a high-end umbrella, because none of mine are the type that would make me even wonder if there was a warranty! :P (It was so windy this morning that I opted for a raincoat instead of an umbrella for my trudging outdoors. It didn’t keep me much more dry than a wind-blown umbrella would have.)
Meg, this is why you should shop for umbrellas at Walmart! They won’t be expensive! I had a pretty one from Macy’s but that thing got inverted one too many times and just crapped out on me, which was a bummer.
It was all dark and cloudy and forboding, so I grabbed my umbrella when I left the house. 1 class later and it’s bright, sunny and I’m stuck lugging an umbrella around until 5.
Meg, this is why you should shop for umbrellas at Walmart! They won’t be expensive!
There is no Walmart in NYC (and also I have, shall we say, issues with Walmart). I own a couple cheap umbrellas but I’ve found that, given the amount of time I spend walking in the rain and the New York windtunnel effect, it’s worthwhile to have a good one.
Tim, being stuck carrying around an umbrella totally sucks, but thing of it this way: If you didn’t have it with you there’s no doubt you’d be stuck in a torrential downpour.
a warranty on an umbrella? I have clearly never purchased a high-end umbrella, because none of mine are the type that would make me even wonder if there was a warranty!
Same here. I think my umbrellas are Target specials.
Great post Ookies!
Yann “Weekend at Bernie’s” Danis?
Tim, being stuck carrying around an umbrella totally sucks, but thing of it this way: If you didn’t have it with you there’s no doubt you’d be stuck in a torrential downpour.
That’s exactly what I was going to say! And, if it’s TOO sunny, you have a parasol! :P
Thanks, Morgan!
Yann “Weekend at Bernie’s” Danis?
Yep, he’s the guy. :P
(Italics) Tim, being stuck carrying around an umbrella totally sucks, but thing of it this way: If you didn’t have it with you there’s no doubt you’d be stuck in a torrential downpour.
That’s exactly what I was going to say! And, if it’s TOO sunny, you have a parasol! :P (End Italics)
It’s snowing now, so I don’t know what to think anymore.
How does one italicize? It’s not for me you understand, I’ve uh, I’ve got this friend…
How does one italicize? It’s not for me you understand, I’ve uh, I’ve got this friend…
<i> like so </i>
It’s not for me you understand, I’ve uh, I’ve got this friend…
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Oh, of course! And thanks, Mags, for your HTML wizardry!
Yann “Weekend at Bernie’s” Danis?
Who’s responsible for keeping him looking lifelike on the bench during games?
I’m asking, “How is it Langer still has Patty’s C?!” I though that was a shitty move by Sutter, and I think it’s a shitty move by Jacques not to correct it.
Thanks for reminding me of the other thing that bugs me about the Devils this year, besides Marty playing every #^$& game. I agree 100% that Elias should be the team captain.
Also I would like to share with everyone some statistics I gathered today (it’s kind of a slow day here): Since the lockout, there have been 18 instances of a goalie playing 70 or more games in a season. 6 of those times the team did not make the playoffs, 6 times the team went out in the first round, and 6 times the team went out in the second round.
Not since Brodeur in 2003 has a goalie played more than 70 games and even made the third round and I think we can all agree that Brodeur has not gotten better since ’03. If I was a betting person, I bet Brodeur will play 77 games this year and the Devils will lose in the first round to the Hurricanes (who won’t even make the playoffs).
And thanks, Mags, for your HTML wizardry!
No problem. Wizardry eh? That’s a dang sight more appealing than my sister calling it nerdship, and telling me I ought to go to Trekkie conventions.
I like the post, by the way. I agree on all points except 1, 2 and 3 (not so much with the agreeing at all). 1. I haven’t actually SEEN any Devils games this year, and I feel like seeing is a necessary condition to establish FTSness. So I can’t comment on that. 2. I see no sea green. I looked for it today, and my world was reds and blues. 3. I LOVE NHL players in the Olympics, because that is what brought me back to hockey, and I don’t get the injury buzz at all. Not for anyone important leastways.
like so
…….
Huzzah and hurrah with shiny brass knobs on!
I’m pretty indifferent to both Olympics hockey (it’s never quite as good as it should be) and to NHL players participating. But I’m totally looking forward to the Olympics as always, so that’s something, right?
Huzzah and hurrah with shiny brass knobs on!
You’re welcome.
But I’m totally looking forward to the Olympics as always, so that’s something, right?
Yeah, the one benefit I see to the NHL participation in the Olympics is that I don’t have to choose between hockey on TV and stuff like figure skating and downhill skiing. I’m sure that’s exactly what the NHL had in mind when they decided to get involved in it — clearing my tv schedule to be able to watch all the non-hockey sports.
I bet Brodeur will play 77 games this year and the Devils will lose in the first round to the Hurricanes (who won’t even make the playoffs).
No bet! :P
I bet Brodeur will play 77 games this year and the Devils will lose in the first round to the Hurricanes (who won’t even make the playoffs).
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It’s so funny because it’s so true!
Whoa, Mags, how did you make the tags show up?! You are a wizard! It’s black magick! Hey, are you Zdeno Chara by any chance?
Hey, are you Zdeno Chara by any chance?
*unzips costume* FINALLY. Why on earth did it take you so long! Pretending to be 5’7″ while you’re a good foot taller is incredibly uncomfortable!
*unzips costume* FINALLY. Why on earth did it take you so long! Pretending to be 5′7″ while you’re a good foot taller is incredibly uncomfortable!
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I can’t believe we never noticed!
*unzips costume* FINALLY. Why on earth did it take you so long! Pretending to be 5′7″ while you’re a good foot taller is incredibly uncomfortable!
:^::::::::::: That makes me think of the aliens on Doctor Who except human-colored and not gross.
If I was a betting person, I bet Brodeur will play 77 games this year and the Devils will lose in the first round to the Hurricanes (who won’t even make the playoffs).
Now THAT is a bold prediction!
Do you think the Stars can beat some hapless team in the first round without actually making the playoffs? It would surely lessen the sting of missing them. :P
Do you think the Stars can beat some hapless team in the first round without actually making the playoffs? It would surely lessen the sting of missing them. :P
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
So you know what makes me very cranky on a Monday? Having to walk around in so much rain in the morning that my socks literally never dry out. It feels SO NICE to be home and not be wearing cold, damp socks anymore.
And that’s my story.
imagine how bad it would be if you still had cold, damp socks on and the rangers and pittsburgh on versus was the only thing on TV…lol
don ,that’s the most terrible thing I’ve ever heard!
i can’t help myself…as much as it would better for the devils if the rangers beat pittsburgh, my dislike of the rangers is such that i alwasy want them to lose, even tonight :D
Yeah, I’m DEFINITELY cheering for the Pens. Or, to put it more accurately, cheering against the Rangers. Or, to put it most accurately, I just woke up from where I’d fallen asleep on the couch, saw it was 3-2, and felt like all was right in the world. (I’m sad that the Rangers aren’t going to be shut out again tonight, though.)
Weren’t the Rangers so good that they might even get a bye round in the playoffs? Seems like I heard something like that back at the beginning of the season.
MWA-HAHAHAHA
alix’s Hank Sedin just scored against my Sabres. In fantasy hockey talk, Hank Sedin (my Fire Clown) just scored to put us ahead of Luke Schenn’s Hair (alix’s team). Sheesh.
Wait wait wait…wait… Brad Lukowich had a game-winning goal? Really? Her?
And thanks, Mags, for your HTML wizardry!
Burn the witch!
Wizardry eh? That’s a dang sight more appealing than my sister calling it nerdship, and telling me I ought to go to Trekkie conventions.
Once upon a time I learned how to do that. I used it once and swiftly forgot how. I vaguely recall ampersands.
And how about those fucking Jets? I started watching yesterdays game fully expecting them to lose. Then they go and give me a false sense of hope by halftime. And yes, I broke out the soldering iron.
Wait wait wait…wait… Brad Lukowich had a game-winning goal? Really? Her?
And if not for the bumfuzzled incompetence of Kerry Fraser, the game would have been tied on Lukowich’s goal. Earlier in the game, the puck got past Luongo as the Vancouver net was dislodged. While everyone thought the goal was being reviewed, Fraser used the review to call a penalty on Goose, negating the goal and causing Lindy Ruff to use an entire Lenten season’s worth of profanity in one rant.
The intermission report during last night’s game was almost comical in how the Sportsnet guys could not get over how much of a hot train wreck mess the Flames have become. They couldn’t believe that they were shut out by Ty Conklin of all people. (Which, while bad for the Flames, was good for the Pea Brains.)
You’re kidding about Fraser, right, Amy? Right? I’m contractually not allowed to think bad thoughts about anyone named Fraser (blame Outlander), but that… I… What?! Was he HIGH?
Burn the witch!
Nay! I dinna do know nothin’ about what happened ter that goat!
I vaguely recall ampersands.
Add in a few semi-colons and you’re nearly there.
Good morning, everyone! I’m glad to see that there’s plenty of foaming-at-the-mouth controversy to keep us warm today. After what happened to poor Beaks in the NBC game on Sunday, it seems calling off goals for phantom penalties is the new black!
You’re kidding about Fraser, right, Amy? Right? I’m contractually not allowed to think bad thoughts about anyone named Fraser (blame Outlander), but that… I… What?! Was he HIGH?
Mmmm. Outlander. I’m sorry, what were we talking about? :P
And nope, Fraser wasn’t high, at least I don’t think. Maybe he was thinking warm thoughts about the rocking chair he was presented with before the game? Other than that, I have no clue.
Mmmm. Outlander. I’m sorry, what were we talking about? :P
Not kilted men, but we could :D
As my Injury Skate buddy put it this morning “If I were a Red Wings fan, I’d say Vancouver paid him. But thank heavens I’m not.”
Mmmm. Outlander. I’m sorry, what were we talking about? :P
Not kilted men, but we could :D
Would now be a good time to mention that, in addition to my Devils snuggy, I own a kilt?
But is it a Devils kilt?
Oof. Hi guys!
*ducks rotten tomatoes and lettuces*
:-)
But is it a Devils kilt?
It’s King George V or IV, either way it’s lots of red and green and black….so nearly. It’s the colours you’d get if you mixed the current jerseys with the Christmas jerseys and then made all the colours sad.
*ducks rotten tomatoes and lettuces*
Sabres fans aren’t throwing tomato and lettuce at Canucks fans, just at Mr. Fraser. We do heartily apologize if any errant produce does land on you.
Would now be a good time to mention that, in addition to my Devils snuggy, I own a kilt?
Are you red-headed? Because then we’d have to talk.
It’s King George V or IV
Bah, nevermind. Ruddy Hanovers.
We do heartily apologize if any errant produce does land on you.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: You’re far more classy than what I’ve been led to expect of you Sabres fans!
Would now be a good time to mention that, in addition to my Devils snuggy, I own a kilt?
Are you red-headed? Because then we’d have to talk.
Blond, sorry.
It’s King George V or IV
Bah, nevermind. Ruddy Hanovers.
It was free off my bagpipe-band drumming uncle in Thailand. Also, my clan kilt is pee-yellow and poo-brown, so….no complaints.
Sounds like Fraser’s going to be all stocked up on salad for a fair time.
It’s the colours you’d get if you mixed the current jerseys with the Christmas jerseys and then made all the colours sad.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is it time to go home, yet?
We do heartily apologize if any errant produce does land on you.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: You’re far more classy than what I’ve been led to expect of you Sabres fans!
Nah…(Canucks fans look away!) Sabres fans just need to lull the Canucks fans into a sense of complacency so they can be more successful when hurling rotten fruits and vegetables at them. Because that’s what TRULY classless biatches do.
Nah…(Canucks fans look away!) Sabres fans just need to lull the Canucks fans into a sense of complacency so they can be more successful when hurling rotten fruits and vegetables at them. Because that’s what TRULY classless biatches do.
Plus our produce is dipped in Buffalo sauce, so it stains and burns your eyes when we hit you. Of course, “when we hit you” is hypothetical seeing that we’d only hit you if you were dressed like a goalie’s chest or like the dasher board five feet to the left of the goal.
Is the produce throwing before or after we draw mustaches on pictures of the Sedins?
Sabres fans aren’t throwing tomato and lettuce at Canucks fans, just at Mr. Fraser. We do heartily apologize if any errant produce does land on you.
PHEW! Thanks for cutting me some slack. But even I was all, “What? Why did the ref wave that off?” even though it was in our favour. Really bad call.
Is the produce throwing before or after we draw mustaches on pictures of the Sedins?
Oh, after for sure. They could use all the facial hair they can get. Just so they appear more manly…
…as Henrik continues to hold his TOP spot in the league for scoring – http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/stats/bycategory
Soft Peeper FTW!